🚩 OSM Offside Trap Guide: When to Turn It On
Updated: · Figures: the free Counter Engine's 54 public recommendations, computed when this page was built.
Keep the offside trap off in most matches. The free engine turns it on in only 2 of its 54 recommendations and never against a side that shoots on sight, because that side shoots before your line can step up.
How the offside trap works
Your back line steps up together to leave the opponent's forwards offside. When it works it kills an attack; when it fails a forward is through on goal. It needs a defence that steps up as a unit.
When the engine turns it on
Rarely: 2 of 54 recommendations, against 5-3-1-1 and 6-3-1, as the table below shows. Against the shoot-on-sight formations (4-2-3-1, 4-5-1, 5-4-1) it is never on, because a side that shoots from distance does not run into the trap.
Offside trap against each opponent formation
| Opponent | Their game plan | Trap on |
|---|---|---|
| 4-3-3 A/B | Wing Play | 0 of 6 |
| 4-4-2 A/B | Passing Game | 0 of 6 |
| 4-2-3-1 | Shoot on Sight | 0 of 6 |
| 4-5-1 | Shoot on Sight | 0 of 6 |
| 5-2-3 A/B | Counter Attack | 0 of 6 |
| 5-3-2 | Counter Attack | 0 of 6 |
| 5-3-1-1 | Counter Attack | 1 of 6 |
| 5-4-1 A/B | Shoot on Sight | 0 of 6 |
| 6-3-1 A/B | Counter Attack | 1 of 6 |
Common mistakes
- Leaving it on in every match. The free engine keeps it off in almost all of its recommendations.
- Using it against a shoot-on-sight side. It gives them nothing to run into and leaves you exposed if it fails.
Exact setting for your match
The Counter Engine shows whether the trap should be on for your match.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I use the offside trap in OSM?
- Usually not. The free engine has it on in only 2 of 54 recommendations.
- Why not against shoot on sight?
- A team that shoots from distance does not need to run in behind your line, so the trap only adds risk.